Probate Index 1838-1888

The research and editing of this index was done by Joanne Rogers Shaffer, a member of the Livingston County Genealogical Society. Thank you Joanne for allowing me to publish your work here. The material presented here is for personal use only. It is not to be copied and republished in any manner, either electronically or on paper without Joanne Shaffer's permission. This index has been published by the Livingston County Genealogical Society.

This probate index is presented in two separate indexes: TESTATE AND INTESTATE. Testate denotes a person dying having made a will. Intestate denotes a person dying without having made a will. Both testate and intestate records are keep by the Probate Court. Many times a copy of a will is requested and the Probate Court will, therefore, only send you a copy of a will, or advise you that there is no will in their records if the decedent has died intestate. It is important to ask for the "complete" file, whether the person died testate or intestate. These documents can be very helpful, i.e., funeral bills, burial bills, real estate documents, names of heirs, etc.; you just may be overlooking a vast storehouse of genealogical information if you fail to ask for the "complete" file.

The Livingston County Probate Court is located in the Judicial Center, West County Complex, South Highlander Way in Howell, Michigan 48843. The telephone number is (517) 546 3750. It is advisable to call or send a letter of request for instructions on obtaining probate record file copies. If planning a visit to the probate court call ahead for hours.